Making cables is something you can easily do yourself, it isn't rocket science. Get some good quality cable, lugs and if you have a vise, you're all set. You can fill the crimped lugs with solder for completeness if you want and that's it. And plenty of Youtubes for the visually needy.

 

Anybody heard from 5-90? I ordered some cables - a while ago. He typically responds to my emails but I haven't heard from him recently. I'm not nervous but if I need to order from elsewhere I will.

 

I don't have any insight into what he's up to, but it's really not hard to make your own battery cables. Get some 1/0 welding cable, the proper sized lugs (following KWIP specs for sizes), and instead of crimping them with a vice, get solder pellets. The pellets are crazy easy to use. Torch the lug, drop in the pellet, insert cable, and ta-da! Great connections. There are also lugs that have solder built in, so look around a little bit. You'll pretty much have to get all this stuff online or find a local welding shop. Hell, a shop may even be willing to crimp for you using their crazy expensive die crimpers. Then you wouldn't need anything special, just cable and lugs.

 

A pause for the cause...


I must ask: Why 1/0 welding cable? What is the need for this overkill? Are you installing an arc welder in your Jeep?


If you are an OEM DD there is absolutely no need for these ridiculous sized cables. The Jeep XJ came from the factory with + - 6 AWG cables and have worked well for many years. I do, however, recommend renewing the 6 AWG cables after about 15 years.


Actually, I'm amused by these "Cable Upgrade" posts...keep it up.


5-90 is getting rich off you guys. LOL

 

I went to Oreilly auto parts and got 4AG cables for about $40. Some were a little longer than stock but I was looking for functional at a reasonable price. to each his own.

 

I did the same thing with Napa. They're beefy and very good quality. The biggest positive is I got them immediately.

 

I'll agree up to a point. I believe some of the differing opinion is that there is a difference between being adequate (from the factory) and improving performance (suiting one's needs, be it real or perceived). Then there is also the point of diminishing returns. The big question is how much "performance" is gained and at what expense......

 

I wonder if those beefier battery cables will somehow get you better fuel economy? Or make your rig a little quicker from 0-60? Or reduce the pain and itching of hemorrhoids?

This is amusing.

 

Well I'm here to tell you I ain't making no cables. I'll gladly pay for them though (in fact, I already have).

 

With using 4 gauge, or larger, wire, how are you addressing the fusible link in the wire that goes from the alternator to the buss bar at the end of the PDC - the green 10 gauge wire?


Read this:


http://www.whiteproducts.com/fusible-faqs.shtml

 

I just left that one alone.

 

I have a 150 amp. ANL fuse in there.

 

The need is for bragging rights, Ken. Oh, and bigger is ALWAYS better, right?


Right.

Folks, Ken is (mostly) right on this one. There is nothing but wasted money in using 1/0 welding cable. For crying out loud, folks, that stuff is rated for 350 amps at fifty feet! Why do you think you need it to run far less than half of that current for less than a tenth of the distance?


Go one size up from factory to 4 gauge and you have a great cable. If you are running a winch, MAYBE you need something bigger, and of course, you need an upsized alternator, too, but NOBODY has any reason to be running welding cable. No, not even if you are running a rear mounted winch!

It's just a stupid waste of copper. It's doing NOTHING useful.

 

Very true. There are also the, "I read it on the Internet", and the "bigger is always better"n and the "mine is bigger than yours" factors.

That's how you get from 6 gauge (adequate for just about anybody) to 1/0 welding cable.



Exactly right. 1/0 welding cable is waaaay beyond the point of non-existent returns.

Upgrade the factory connectors and use a good quality 6 gauge cable, and you've got a great setup.

Upgrade the factory connectors and use a good quality 4 gauge cable, and you've got a fabulous setup.

Any more than that and you've got a waste of money.